Hot Summer Love: A Multi-Author Box Set (Shifters in Love Book 2)

Todd glanced over at me and shook his head. “Bev, you know what the job market is like right now. Let’s give Dave a break,” he added gently, “he’s doing his best.”


“Of course I know that. I … just wasn’t thinking. Dave, I’m so sorry.” I rushed over to him. I could feel his body tense as I grabbed his arm. “I know the job market sucks and you’re trying your best. And I ... I’m sorry I said what I did at the WAG meeting. You two are so sexy and hot that it just slipped out of my mouth.”

Dave grunted, casting his eyes towards the ground. “Don’t worry about it Bev. I know you deserve better than me.”

“Dave, I…” God—me and my big mouth, messing everything up.

“Can we talk about something else now, Bev?” Dave asked quietly.

Todd graciously tried to change the subject. “I’d like to know how the WAG group can afford all that. I mean, the place must have cost a fortune to rent, and the food sure wasn’t cheap!”

“Yeah, a lot of money, and apparently they have meetings every couple of weeks,” Dave responded dully.

I swallowed hard. As much as I wanted to tell Dave I was sorry again, I didn’t want to spoil the night by bringing it up more. I would say something later.

“What did you think of everything, Bev?” Todd asked.

“I was really surprised. I expected some little meeting hall and a bowl of pretzels. I certainly didn’t expect a roast beef dinner with all the trimmings. And that truffle dessert was to die for,” I said. My mouth watered as I remembered the velvety smooth taste of the chocolate topped with berries and cream.

“Speaking of surprises, George Marc, the manager of the movie theater, was in the pizzeria the other day. He gave me a few movie passes. Do you guys want to go see that new movie about a werewoman who falls in love with a billionaire?”

“You mean Werechick in Love? I would love that, Todd!”

Dave scratched his head. “Sounds kinda mushy.”

“Dave,” I whined. “I really want to see that!”

“Maybe you can see that one and Todd and I can go see the new thriller. I hear it’s pretty good.”

“Dave!” I frowned at him. “We hardly ever go to the movies.”

“Aright, alright,” Dave muttered.

Todd reached into his wallet, pulled out the tickets and studied them. “Looks like these are good anytime, including this weekend. I have to close the pizzeria so tonight is out.”

I lowered my head, frowning. Damn, that sucked. I hadn’t realized Todd had to close the restaurant tonight, and I was hoping for a little fun time exploring every inch of him and Dave back at the apartment. But my words had put a damper on things, so maybe it was for the best.

“Do you all want to go tomorrow? There is an afternoon showing at one o’clock. We could go to that and then maybe grab a bite to eat after. I don’t have to work tomorrow and I’m free all day…” he said, giving me a sexy smile and winking, “and all night.”

I couldn’t help but smile back.

“That works for me,” Dave said.

“Does that work for you, Bev?”

“Yes, that would be great!” Though I was disappointed Todd wasn’t going to be able to come up to the apartment, seeing him tomorrow would help, and the movies would be fun. It was pricey going to the movies and I hadn’t been in a long time. Some of my favorite actors and actresses were starring in Werechick in Love.

As we got in the car and started driving back to the apartment, I thought about the evening. I wished I hadn’t made the comment that ‘weremen did it better.’ Dammit. There was nothing I could do about it, so I would just have to put it out of my mind. And it was totally wrong that I’d lashed out at Dave about his lack of a job, but the fact was, it was true. I really needed to talk it out calmly with him, instead of throwing it in his face.

When we got to the apartment complex we made arrangements for Todd to pick us up a half hour before the movie started the next day. It would give us plenty of time to get to the theater, buy snacks, and get good seats.

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